Multispectral Conduit Imaging for In-Situ Corrosion Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging methods for conduits, such as pipelines and wellbores, fail to accurately quantify corrosion severity or differentiate between different types of corrosion, requiring significant intervention time and cost due to the need for pipeline shutdown and fluid replacement.
Innovation Solution
A multi-spectral camera system with a lighting array emitting discrete narrowband wavelengths and a camera capturing image data at multiple wavelength ranges to analyze and quantify corrosion types, allowing for real-time or stored image processing to create a corrosion map.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current visible spectrum camera systems are used for conduit inspection, then images can be captured, but the extent and severity of corrosion cannot be accurately quantified and different corrosion types cannot be differentiated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from single-spectrum visible light imaging to multi-spectral imaging by adding a spectral dimension. The system captures images at multiple discrete wavelengths (e.g., 450nm, 530nm, 650nm) rather than a single broad spectrum, enabling material differentiation through spectral signatures while maintaining practical device complexity through structured wavelength selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the optical parameter of wavelength selection to enable corrosion differentiation. By capturing images at specific discrete wavelengths and calculating ratios between wavelengths, the system creates spectral fingerprints that distinguish between corrosion types (e.g., sulfuric acid corrosion vs. carbonic acid corrosion) and quantify severity levels.
2Reliability
If traditional inspection methods requiring pipeline shutdown are used, then thorough inspection can be performed, but intervention time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection tool performs self-illumination using integrated LED light sources that emit at multiple discrete wavelengths, eliminating the need for external lighting or pipeline shutdown. The system captures multi-spectral images directly within the conduit while it remains in service, and the processed data can be viewed in real-time or stored for subsequent analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical inspection methods (requiring physical access, fluid replacement, and shutdown procedures) with an optical measurement system. The multi-spectral camera captures corrosion characteristics through light interaction with the conduit surface, substituting mechanical intervention with non-contact optical detection that works while the pipeline remains operational.
3Loss of information
If multi-spectral imaging is implemented, then corrosion types can be differentiated and quantified, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the visible spectrum into discrete wavelength bands (e.g., blue at 450nm, green at 530nm, red at 650nm) using separate LED light sources. Each wavelength captures specific material properties, and the segmentation allows the camera to process information from multiple spectral channels independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive corrosion detection capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate quantification and differentiation of corrosion types, reducing intervention time and cost by allowing in-situ inspection without pipeline shutdown.
Implementation Method 1
a lighting array including a plurality of light emitters... each light emitter emitting light in a different discrete narrowband wavelength range
Implementation Method 2
capturing image data of the region of interest using the camera, the image data comprising spatial data and intensity data at a plurality of different, discrete narrowband wavelength ranges of light
Implementation Method 3
illuminating a region of interest on said internal surface using the lighting array... capturing image data of the region of interest
Data Source
AI summary
A method of imaging an internal surface of a conduit, the method including deploying an inspection assembly within an internal volume of a conduit, the inspection assembly having a camera and a lighting array including a plurality of light emitters; illuminating a region of interest on said internal surface using the lighting array; and capturing image data of the region of interest using the camera, the image data including spatial data and intensity data at a plurality of different narrowband wavelength ranges of light.